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(11) | EP 1 983 108 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Bar for liftable transit barriers, transit barrier comprising said bar, kit for supplying and method for installing said bar |
| (57) The bar (5) for liftable passage barriers according to the invention comprises a
first (7) and a second bar section (9); the first bar section (7) has substantially
hollow cross-sections, and the first (7) and the second bar section (9) are arranged
so as to allow the second bar section (9) to be axially inserted into the first bar
section (7) so as to form a telescopic assembly. An inner sliding block (11) and a
bearing (17) reduce the clearances between the two bar sections (7) and (9), and the
axial position between the two bar sections can be blocked through the screws (23A,
23B), making the bar (5) strong and integral. A single pair of sections (7) and (9)
allow to provide bars (5) having an infinite gamut of lengths; the stocks and the
number of items needed can consequently be reduced and smaller vehicles are sufficient
for transporting the bars to the installation place. |
Field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a bar for liftable passage barriers in order, of the kind used for instance for controlling the access of motor vehicles to parkings, garages, highways, railway railroads, plants, shopping areas trade and the like.
[0002] The invention also relates to a passage barrier comprising such bar, to a kit for supplying and a method for installing such bar.
Background art
[0003] The bars for currently widespread liftable passage barriers have a length often ranging between about 4 and 7 meters, even if in some cases they can reach 10-12 meters and even more.
[0004] Until now the length of such bars has not been standardized, and therefore the barrier manufacturers must face a demand of bars having quite disparate lengths.
[0005] A currently adopted solution is obtaining the bars from cutting semifinished merchant bars by the desired length; such merchant bars are generally supplied with a standard length of 6,5 meters; however merchant bars with different -and even greater- length can be obtained on order, but in this way there is a remarkable production of off-cut bar sections, having such lengths that they cannot be re-used. A possible solution to such drawback is stocking up on and store semifinished section bars with a richer gamut of lengths, such as 6,5 meters, 7,5 meters, 8,5 meters, 9,5 meters, 10,5 meters; in this way less off-cut bars are produced, but the needed stocks and the supply difficulties increase.
[0006] A further problem arise from the fact that in many European countries there are traffic constraints that forbid large commercial vehicles to travel in big towns, making therefore the transport of bars in the installation place difficult. In general transporting parcels having a length greater than 6 meters is becoming more and more difficult in Europe.
[0007] An object of the present invention is providing a bar for liftable passage barriers, which is an improvement with respect to the known bars, with reference to the problems previously set forth.
Summary of the invention
[0008] In a first aspect of the present invention, such object is achieved with a bar for liftable passage barriers having the features according to claim 1.
[0009] According to a particular embodiment of such bar, the second bar section is provided with an inner sliding block arranged for resting against the inner walls of the first bar section.
[0010] According to a particular embodiment of such bar, the first bar section is provided with a bearing, and second bar section is arranged for resting against the bearing.
[0011] According to a particular embodiment of such bar, the bearing is fixed at an end of the first bar section.
[0012] According to a particular embodiment of such bar, the bearing has a substantially annular or tubular shape.
[0013] According to a particular embodiment of such bar, the inner sliding block and/or the bearing are made of plastic material.
[0014] According to a particular embodiment of such bar, the axial blocking system comprises an insert file inserted in the second and/or the first bar section, or protruding towards the inside of the first bar section.
[0015] According to a particular embodiment of such bar, the insert comprises a screw and/or pin and/or plug and/or nail and/or key, and/or a punching and/or drawing and/or protrusions made on the wall of such section.
[0016] According to a particular embodiment of such bar, the file is inserted in the inner sliding block.
[0017] According to a particular embodiment of such bar, on the second bar section a marking is provided, indicating from the outside the length of the portion of such second bar inserted in the first section of bar.
[0018] According to a particular embodiment of such bar, such marking comprises a graduated scale, a series or array of signs and/or figures and/or characters and/or notches and/or protrusions, a plurality of signs and/or figures and/or characters and/or notches and/or protrusions.
[0019] In a second aspect of the present invention, such scope is achieved with a kit for supplying bars for liftable passage barriers having the features according to claim 13.
[0020] In a third aspect of the present invention, such scope is achieved with a liftable passage barrier having the features according to claim 14.
[0021] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, such scope is achieved with a method for installing a bar for liftable passage barriers, having the features according to claim 15.
[0022] According to a particular embodiment, such method comprises the step of blocking the mutual axial sliding of the first and second bar section, by inserting the insert in the second and/or first bar section, or making it to protrude towards the inside of the first bar section.
[0023] The advantages that can be achieved with the present invention will appear more clearly, to a person skilled in the art, from the following detailed description of a particular non limiting embodiment, goven with reference to the following schematic figures.
List of Figures
[0024]
Figure 1 shows the front view of a liftable passage barrier according to a first particular embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a partially sectioned view of the portion of the telescopic connection of the bar of the barrier of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the inner sliding block 11 of the bar of Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the bearing of the bar of Figure 2;
Figures 5, 6 show a detail of the inner sliding block and the bearing respectively, of a bar for a liftable passage barrier according to a second particular embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed description
[0025] Figures 1, 2 relate to a particular embodiment of a liftable passage barrier according to the present invention.
[0026] Such barrier, referred to with the overall reference 1, comprises a base, or upright, 3 and a liftable bar 5.
[0027] The base or upright 3 is provided - for example by housing inside itself- with a drive which lifts and lowers the bar 5, by rotating the latter - arrow F- around a horizontal axis or an axis suitably arranged in the space.
[0028] According to the present invention, the bar 5 comprises a first and a second bar section - references 7, 9-, wherein the first bar section 7 has substantially hollow cross-sections, and the first 7 and second bar section 9 are arranged so as to allow the second bar section 9 to be axially inserted into the first bar section 7 so as to form a telescopic assembly. In the shown embodiment, the first 7 and second bar section 9 are obtained from two crops of tubular section bars having circular cross-sections: the circular cross-section is particularly advantageous due to its optimum wind strength and in general due to its axially symmetrical strength to external stresses.
[0029] Advantageously an inner sliding block 11 is fixed to an end of the second bar section 9 (Figures 2, 3); such sliding block 11 has a substantially axially symmetrical shape and forms on its sides a side resting surface 13 arranged for resting against the inner walls of the first bar section 7. Preferably the shape of the side resting surface 13 is substantially complementary to the inner cavity of the first bar section 7, and/or however such dimensions for being able to slide along such cavity with small clearances, for example with clearances of about 0,05-0,1 millimeter, or possibly even with a light interference. A light interference must be understood an interference allowing the bar section 9 be fitted in the bar section 7 with a thrust not greater than 190-290 N, and even more preferably not greater than 150-200 N; such thrust can still be applied with a hand by an operator.
[0030] In the embodiment of Figure 3 the inner sliding block 11 is further provided with a first fixing portion 15 - in the present embodiment having a substantially cylindrical shape-, through which the sliding block 11 is inserted in and firmly fixed to the end of the second bar section 9. Like in the preferred embodiment of Figure 2, the inner sliding block 11 can be firmly blocked at an end of the section 9 through one or more blocking screws 25, or in other ways such as fitting, screwing, riveting, gluing, welding. Advantageously, a bearing 17 is fixed to the free end of the first bar section 7; such bearing 17 is provided with a through cavity for sliding 19 - Figure 4 - into which a second bar section 9 can slide. In the embodiment of Figure 4, the bearing is substantially shaped as a tubular bushing. Preferably the through cavity for sliding 19 has a shape substantially complementary to the external surface of the second bar section 9, and/or however dimensions such to allow the second bar section 9 to slide with small clearances, or possibly even with a light interference.
[0031] The bearing 17 is further provided with a second fixing portion 21 - in the present example having a substantially cylindrical shape-, through which it is inserted in and firmly fixed - for example through fitting, screwing, riveting, gluing, welding- to the end of the first bar section 7.
[0032] Preferably the inner sliding block 11 and/or the bearing 17 are made of plastic material. Such plastic material can for instance DELRIN, which has a low coefficient of friction and can be easily chip machined. The inner sliding block 11 and the bearing 17 can be manufactured for instance by turning, milling or other kinds of machining, or still by forming.
[0034] When the passage barrier 1 is assembled, the second bar section 9 it inserted in the first section of bar 7, with the inner sliding block 11 already fixed to one its ends, and is caused to pass through the through cavity for sliding 19, which cavity is already fixed to an end of the first bar section 7.
[0035] When the liftable bar 5 reaches the desired length LTOT (Figure 1), the two sections 7 and 9 are drilled and their mutual axial position is blocked with two or more blocking screws 23A, 23B.
[0036] Such blocking screws 23A, 23B can be for instance self-tapping screws. The screws 23A are screwed through the bearing the 17 and through both walls of the two sections 7 and 9. Preferably the screws 23B are screwed through the wall of the first section 7 only and in the inner sliding block 11, by the side resting surface 13, where the clearances with the first section are at minimum.
[0037] This way the liftable bar 5 forms an assembly mechanically quite strong and structurally similar to one integral piece. Such remarkable solidity is due among other things:
- to the small clearances between the sliding block 11 and the section 7, and between the bearing 17 and the section 9;
- to the fastening of the two sections 7, 9 with screws 23A, 23B, in at least two different axial positions (distance LB).
[0038] This way moreover, with a single telescopic bar 5 made up of a first section 7 having a length LT1, and of a second section 9 having a length LT2, bars can be made having any overall length LTOT ranging from a minimum length LT1 (equal to the length of the first section 7) and a maximum length LMAX = LT1 + LT2 - LBMIN, wherein LBMIN is the minimum length, variable according to the specific design conditions, by which the second section 9 must be inserted in the first section 7 during the operation of the barrier 1.
[0039] In other words, the telescopic bar according to the present invention allow manufacturers of bars 5 to remarkably reduce stocks and stock items, because stocks of a few standardized lengths LT1, LT2 of sections 7 and 9 are sufficient. Preferably LT1 and/or LT2 can range from about 2,5 meters to about 5 meters. More preferably LT1 can range from about 3,5 meters to about 4 meters. More preferably LT2 can range from about 3,25 meters to about 3,5 meters.
[0040] Telescopic bars 5 can be supplied and shipped as a fitting kit on the place where the liftable barrier must be installed, wherein the kit can comprise two bar sections 7, 9 having suitable lengths LT1, LT2, and possibly their relative sliding block 11 and bearing 17, so as to most simplify the assembling operations on the installation place.
[0041] Advantageously, at least on the second section 9 a marking (not shown) can be provided, which shows from the outside the length LB of the portion of such section 9 inserted in the first section 7. Such marking can be for instance a graduated scale, a series or array of signs, figures, characters, notches, protrusions or still other signs; the marking can be previously printed or sticked on the section 9.
[0042] In particular such marking can be a graduated scale in centimeters or inches arranged along the section 9 so that the indication in centimeters or inches of the length LB of the portion of such section 9 inserted in the first section 7 happens to be aligned with the edge of the bearing 17, and can immediately be read: that allows to find quicker the area where the outer bar section 7 must be drilled on order to screw the screw- or screws- 23B.
[0043] The present invention allows the mass production of sections 7, 9, starting from semifinished merchant bars having standardized length -such as light alloy- and non-light alloy metal section bars- be easier optimised, so as to reduce at minimum both a) the off-cut bar sections remaining from the cutting -e.g. sawing- of the merchant section bars having standard length and provided from the drawing mills, and b) the stocks of such semifinished merchant bars, in particular the length gamut a manufacturer of liftable barriers needs to stock: in fact with the telescopic barriers according to the present invention a substantially infinite gamut of lengths LTOT can be obtained, starting from a limited number of lengths LT1, LT2 of the bar sections 7, 9.
[0044] Moreover the assembling of a liftable bar 5 starting from two or more sections 7, 9 having smaller length, reduces the difficulties in transporting the bar itself on the installation place, since the two sections 7, 9 having length LT1, LT2 much shorter than the length LTOT of the bar after installation, can be transported with smaller vehicles. Concerning this point, advantageously the lengths LT1, LT2 of sections 7, 9 are chosen smaller than 6-6,5 meters.
[0045] The choice of the previously described inner sliding block 11 and bearing 17 allows a relatively strong telescopic connection be provided, and with small or even absent mechanical clearances, even if the bar sections 7, 9 are obtained from section bars, or however bars, having standardized or however commercially available cross-sections, with no need of designing and tooling the production of two non-standard section bars having perfectly mating cross-sections.
[0046] Figures 5, 6 relate to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the first and second bar section (not shown) are obtained from section bars having square or rectangular cross-sections, and accordingly the inner sliding block 11' and bearing 17' as well have substantially square or rectangular cross-sections. The sides 13' of the inner sliding block 11', and the surface of the through cavity for sliding 19' -the latter formed in the bearing 17'- is provided with a plurality of crests or ribbings 110, 170 respectively, arranged longitudinally to the sliding direction of the first and second bar sections. Such crests or ribbings are arranged in such way that, when the second bar section is inserted in the first section, the crests or ribbings 110 interfere with, and are slightly drawn by- the inner walls of the first bar section, and the crests or ribbings 170 interfere with -and are slightly drawn by- the external surface of the second bar section. This way a telescopic connection is provided, having a null clearance between the two bar sections, even if allowing the second section bar be inserted by hand into the first section bar. In other embodiments not shown, the crests or ribbings 110, 170 can clearly be replaced by other kinds of protrusions arranged for being drawn, such as embossings or studs.
[0047] The preferred embodiments previously described are susceptible of various modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, in an embodiment not shown, the bearing 17 can have non-annular or non axially symetrical shape, and be embodied for example as one or more pads having more or less parallelepipedal shape, against which the external surface of the bar section 9 can rest. Sections 7, 9 can clearly have not circular cross-sections -such as rectangular or polygonal-, and the sliding block 11 and the bearing 17 can clearly have non axially symmetrical shapes as well. The mutual axial sliding between the first 7 and the second bar section 9 can be blocked not only through the screws 23A, 23B but also through other kinds of inserts such as nails, pins, plugs, keys, or still making protrusions - p.es by pressing, embossing or punching-, on the wall of the first section 7, which protrude in its inner cavity towards the second bar section 9. The examples and list of possible versions in the present application are to be understood as non-exhaustive.
1. Bar for liftable passage barriers, comprising a first (7) and a second bar section
(9), wherein the first bar section (7) has substantially hollow cross-sections, and
the first (7) and second bar section (9) are arranged so as to allow the second bar
section (9) to be axially inserted into the first bar section (7) so as to form a
telescopic assembly.
2. Bar according to claim 1, wherein the second bar section (9) is provided with an inner
sliding block (11) arranged for resting against the inner walls of the first bar section
(7).
3. Bar according to claim 2, wherein the inner sliding block (11) is fixed to an end
of the second bar section (9).
4. Bar according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sides (13) of the shape of the inner sliding
block (11) is substantially complementary to the inner cavity of the first bar section
(7).
5. Bar according to one or more claims from 2 to 4, wherein the inner sliding block (11)
is arranged so as to slide with clearance, or light interference, in the first bar
section (7).
6. Bar according to one or more preceding claims, wherein the first bar section (7) is
provided with a bearing (17), and second bar section (9) it is arranged for resting
against the bearing (17).
7. Bar according to claim 6, wherein the bearing (17) has a shape substantially complementary
to the external surface of the second bar section (9).
8. Bar according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the bearing (17) is provided with a through
cavity for sliding (19), through which the second bar section (9) can slide.
9. Bar according to one or more preceding claims, wherein the second bar section (9)
is arranged for sliding with clearance, or light interference, in the first bar section
(7).
10. Bar according to one or more claims from 6 to 9, wherein the second bar section (9)
is arranged for sliding with clearance, or light interference, on the bearing (17).
11. Bar according to one or more preceding claims, comprising an axial blocking system
which blocks the axial position of the first bar section (7) relative to the second
bar section (9).
12. Bar according to claim 11, wherein the axial blocking system comprises an insert inserted
in the second (9) and/or in the first bar section (7), or protruding towards the inside
of the first bar section (7).
13. Kit for supplying bars for liftable passage barriers, wherein the kit comprises a
first (7) and a second bar section (9), wherein the first bar section (7) has substantially
hollow cross-sections, and the first (7) and second bar section (9) are arranged so
as to allow the second bar section (9) to be axially inserted into the first bar section
(7) so as to form a telescopic assembly.
14. Liftable passage barrier (1), comprising a base or upright (3), and a bar according
to one or more claims from 1 to 12 fixed to the base or upright (3) in such a way
that it can be lifted and lowered with a rotation.
15. Method for installing a bar for liftable passage barriers, comprising the following
steps:
- providing a bar according to one or more claims from 1 to 12;
- making the second bar section (9) to slide axially in the first bar section (7), until the total length (LTOT) of the whole bar (5) does not have the desired value;
- blocking the mutual axial sliding of the first (7) and second bar section (9).